Reconsidering Modern Period Cemeteries As Heritage Places: Cebeci (Asri) Cemetery In Ankara, Türkiye

Date

2025-11

Author

Kabakuşak, Elif

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This thesis explores the tangible and intangible values and significance of modern-period cemeteries and their conservation as heritage places, focusing on Cebeci (Asri) Cemetery in Ankara, Türkiye. Although cemeteries are dynamic places that change together with the city and society, they are generally perceived as fixed, static parts of the built-up environment or merely as areas for burial. Although the perception of cemeteries varies across cultural contexts, the general view of cemeteries as symbols of death leads to their being perceived as negative and dark places. In addition, because they belong to the recent past, modern period cemeteries are not sufficiently recognized as heritage sites, leading to their neglect. All these put modern period cemeteries at risk of disappearing. In this context, the thesis evaluates the Cebeci (Asri) Cemetery holistically across different aspects, from its urban context to its architectural and artistic qualities, from its cultural landscape value to its place in social memory. As part of the planning of Ankara as a modern new capital after 1923, the Cebeci (Asri) Cemetery is a critical component of Ankara's Republican history. It is designed with a modern approach, featuring a grid plan, zoning suitable for a multi-faith structure, and modernist architectural elements. However, the area is currently threatened by issues at different scales, such as unplanned and changing urbanization, structural and ecological neglect, and the loss of its unique characteristics. Aiming to fill the gap in the literature on the recognition and conservation of modern cemeteries as heritage in Türkiye, this study documents the site's current state through fieldwork and proposes management and conservation strategies and actions for the cemetery in line with universal conservation principles. In conclusion, the thesis advocates integrating the Cebeci (Asri) Cemetery within the framework of modern heritage and contributes to the conservation literature by defining the necessary actions to ensure the site's sustainability.

Subject Keywords

Modern Heritage Conservation, Cultural Landscape, Urban Memory, Urban Cemetery, Cebeci (Asri) Cemetery

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/118309

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Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis